Texas couple say chupacabra shot on their property

VICTORIA, Texas, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- A Texas couple said their grandson shot a creature on their property that appears to be the legendary chupacabra.

Doug and Lucy Ohrt said they were with family Sunday on their ranch in Victoria County when they came across an unfamiliar animal, KAVU-TV, Victoria, Texas, reported Thursday.

"My grandson ran and got the gun and shot it at 240 yards, and my grandkids said, 'Oh that's a chupacabra,'" Doug Ohrt said.

The chupacabra is a legendary creature whose name translates to "goat sucker."

Lucy Ohrt said the creature's long legs and big teeth resemble a coyote, but it does not look like any of the coyotes in the area.

"It's usually got long hair on it and this one doesn't and that's what makes it different from a regular coyote," she said.

However, wildlife biologist Josh Turner said he is not convinced the beast was a chupacabra.

"I've seen squirrels, raccoons, and coyotes in this area with the same features," Turner said.

"[Chupacabras are] a mythical creature. ... People see but what it really is sarcoptic mange, which is caused by a mite that bites the animal and it can be on any mammal. Dogs, cats, coyotes, foxes, and humans can get another version of it as well," Turner said.